Which stroller to use at WDW?

[DisneyLovingMama]

Now, I PROMISE not to hit anyone's ankles with DS' stroller. With that being said, which one should I bring? He'll be just 7 months when we travel. We're doing 5 days at WDW and a 4-day cruise. At WDW, we're staying at the Villas at Wilderness Lodge. Here are the choices:

The infant one:
Pros: DS is used to it. Has a lot of storage and three cup holders. Lays completely flat for DS to sleep.
Cons: It's HUGE and a bit cumbersome to open and close.

The toddler one:
Pros: Smaller than the infant one. Reclines partially. Some storage underneath.
Cons: DS hasn't used it before. Does not recline fully.

The umbrella one:
Pros: Tiny! Quickly opens and closes. DD5 can fit in, if she gets tired of walking.
Cons: No storage. No recline. DS may not feel all that secure.

What do you think? I was leaning toward the toddler one, but after seeing him fall asleep in the infant one yesterday, I'm wondering if I should just suck it up and take that one.

 

[TwingleMum]

I would pick the one that folds the easiest. VWL uses either boat or bus transportation. So depending on the park you visit the most you may be folding the stroller alot.

 

[BANNISTER]

When we went a few years back my son was then 6 months old. We took the infant stroller with us. Yes, it was huge. But like you said, he was used to it. Ours reclined all the way as well for napping. We could attach a fan to the cup holder and he could have a snack on his tray all while we were on the move. The worst part was breaking the stroller down to the catch the bus, but everyone was very understanding of us having a little one with us. It is a pain to have the stroller since it is so big and bulky, but at that age I don't think you can do without. Big storage underneath is also very helpful. We took one of those blue 'neat sheets' covers and put that over the stroller when we went into an attraction. It made it easier to spot our stroller after exiting and looking into a mass of strollers. Also helped keep it cool and provided cover in case of rain since it is waterproof. We also used the cover at the parades to sit on. Hope this helps and enjoy your trip. Take lots of pictures. I think the pics with characters and babies are priceless!

 

[swilphil]

Try out your son in the "toddler stroller" before your trip and see how he does. My kids used the same stroller as a toddler as they did when they were an infant, so I don't really know what the difference is.

Also the infant stroller might not be so bad since you are staying at WL and can use the boat to go to MK or take it to TTC and monorail to Epcot. You won't need to fold the stroller on the boats or the monorail.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Are you driving yourself or bussing it when you get there? If you're driving, take whicheverone is best for your little one. If bussing, take whichever one offers you the best options for comfort and foldability.

 

[Hugpug]

I have no problem with single stollers what I object to are the side by side stollers, These are very bad for those of us who are walking. They take up to much room on walkway ,people do not know how to use them, and worst of all I cannot tell how many times I have been hit in my heels by careless parents. Parent should have better sense to bring these into the shopping stores/areas the ailes are to narrow. They should BAN THESE FROM THE PARKS. Sorry for the Rant

 

[SqueakyMouse]

I would pick the one that folds the easiest. VWL uses either boat or bus transportation. So depending on the park you visit the most you may be folding the stroller alot.

We just returned from 10 days at WDW with a 4 and 2.5 yo. Even though we also had our car with us, we found that we were FREQUENTLY having to fold-up strollers. I agree. Take whichever stroller is easiest for you to fold. Our kids are older, so el-cheapo umbrella strollers (ours folded easily) worked out really well. They were lightweight, and we didn't have to worry about them. (Ironically, we've never had a problem at Disney with strollers being stollen; but one of our umbrella strollers was taken at the outlet mall on our very last day!!)

 

[StephMK]

We drove to the parks & brought our big, bulky front/back double stroller. it was a pain to fold for the trains, etc. but we only had to do that coming/going & it was well worth the hassle. Our 4 yo loved to be able to sit comfortably w/shade & the 2 yo napped a few times. I know most people don't like taking the big strollers but I'd recommend it,especially for the ages of your kids. The bottom storage was a huge benefit too. We put a collapsible cooler w/drinks/camera & diaper bags in w/no problems.

 

[disneykid1961]

We just returned 2 weeks ago and brought along for DD age 3, our large infant stroller (actually the base to the evenflow on my way). Reasoning: needed a sturdy one for bringing diaper bag and backpack of water and munchies. The umbrella one tips over too easily. This one could support the bag around the handles and had a huge basket. Also, it reclined which she really liked. We did not have to fold it up for use on the ferry boats, and we were at the monorail station very early and actually did not have to fold it for our rides on that. The few times we did have to fold, I kept reminding myself of all the room and ease of having the big one with us. She was more comfortable and we didn't have to haul backpacks or diaper bags around. I suggest going with the biggest basket one of all. have fun!

 

[DisneyPhD]

I say the one in the middle, todler one. I hope it gives more shade and storage then the umbrella one and does relcine some so it is better then the umbrella one.

7 months is the best age to take a baby to WDW. DD #2 was so great, she loved everything about it and was so easy. We took her again at 9 months and that was fun too. Next trip she will be 18 months, I think it will be a differnt story.

One thing I always tell people wondering about a stroller for a older baby is the back pack one we took when DD#1 was abround 8 months old. It is by instep and converts from a back pack carrier to a stroller. It is small and light and really easy to use. DD loved it. We did too, when the park was really busy we just turned it into the back pack and walked out so easy. She also was really comfortable in the stroller, but it does not recline, rather it hold you upright like a exrsaucser does. She was alble to sleep in it fine. It didn't cost much either. We didn't take it with DD#2 since we had the double stroller anyway.

Unless I had an infant that was still in the car seat carrier I would not bring a full size stroller to WDW. I find my evenflo stroller to be as much of a pain to navingate around as my doulbe peg pergo.

Enjoy your trip. I want to see how a curise is with a baby, so please write a trip report.

 

[R4racing]

I would see how your little one does in the 'middle' one. I think the non-recline might be a problem with one so little. Especially if you intend them to sleep in the stroller. I would try to avoid the big huge one, but would go that route before the upright one. My sister took her Evenflo that came as a travel system and I really noticed the difference in size and weight between that and our Graco Lite Rider. We also had a cheapie umbrella stroller along, we had kids ages almost 5mo, 2yrs, almost 3yrs, 5 1/2yrs and 6yrs. The baby did spend most of her time in the sling and the Lite Rider saw use by baby, 2yr old and the 5 & 6yr olds. It was much nicer to push with the older kids in it than the umbrella was and the big basket was very handy too.

 

[alloyd1170]

Id go with the smallest and most comfy for your child especially with cruising and dealing with Disney transportation. The toddler one sounds the best since it reclines. We taken our now 3 yr old on cruises at 11 mos, 23 mos, and 35 mos. Thankfully he walked at 9 months so I took a small stroller (not an umbrella) and really only used it in ports and at night since he usually fell asleep after dinner during the shows. Get your child more used to being in the stroller you want to take before going. On the ship, space is limited regarding storage in your cabin, riding on elevators especailly after shows, and walking through the halls. You dont need a big stroller on board. I see people pushing rv size strollers and struggling to move around easily. At WDW, you will most likely have to fold your stroller to ride the monorails and buses (especially during crowded times). Some strollers you have to remove the stuff from the basket and can be a real pain. I bought a Mac Quest for my son to use at WDW and love it. I went ahead and splurged knowing that we were trying for #2. Shes due in 4 weeks and we will be cruising with her over Christmas and New Years. I will be bringing the Quest and my pouch to carry her around!

For anyone interested in cruising with little ones or cruising in general check out this great site: http://www.cruisemates.com/ There are articles on different lines, ships, message boards which are really really helpful, and articles. You can also email me with any questions. We've been cruising on Royal Caribbean for the last 3 New Years. Based on my experiences, I can tell you what you need to pack, and what to leave behind, etc. With a little one in tow, you need to pack a lot!

alison

 

[letsgoagainsoon]

We went to WDW when my son was 9months. We actually took 2 strollers with us--the infant, big and bulky, and a "deluxe" umbrella that reclined and had a canopy (we drove and space was not an issue) I thought for sure I would use the umbrella more...nope we used the biggy most of the time. My son was more comfortable in the big one and he could fully recline and sleep really well. Yes, it was a pain on the busses, but since he was more comfy we were happy. Maybe you should take both the umbrella (for the 5yr old) and the infant one! For our next trip I bought the Combi City Savvy--its lightweight, folds up quickly, has a nice big canopy, PLUS a full recline and a carrying strap. I'm addicted to buying strollers...

 

[DisneyLovingMama]

Is this the stroller you mentioned, letsgoagainsoon?

 

[reeanna]

Speaking of the Graco Lite Rider, Graveyard mall has them right now for $39.99 if anyone's interested:

http://graveyardmall.com/cenlitridstr1.html

 

[adisneymama]

First are you driving or flying? Will you have storage for the stroller while on the cruise? The reason I ask is that we cruised last year with dd who was then 2. I have always taken my large stroller on our previous trips to WDW, but knew I would not have room for it on the cruise. The cruise line (I assume you are going on the Wonder) have strollers for free. You just put down a deposit on your room key and they reverse it when you bring the stroller back. You can keep it in your room the entire length of your stay onboard. You are allowed to take the strollers off the ship at the ports as well. When we were on the Magic in November this is what we did and got a very nice Graco Ultra light stroller. It was new. They also informed me they had more than enough as the room was full of them. It was just like my large graco travel system stroller but smaller, it did recline, had the storage underneath and had cup holds and the canopy.

If you are driving and have a place to store your stroller while on the cruise, I would recommend the easiest one for you to fold and use. If you aren't going to have a place to store it, go with the smallest one possible.

This is the link to the stroller I just bought for our next trip to WDW in Sept. DD is now 3 and we really didn't want to have to deal with folding up that big stroller again. This doesn't have the cup holders but does have the canopy and the storage basket.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...1F83G8C2ARO7P&vi=pictures&img=2#more-pictures

Have a great time!

Edited to add: If your not going to have space to store your stroller while on the cruise how about rent a stroller at Disney for the 5 days your there and then just use the stroller on the ship that is provided?

 

[kimpossible]

For our next trip I bought the Combi City Savvy--its lightweight, folds up quickly, has a nice big canopy, PLUS a full recline and a carrying strap. I'm addicted to buying strollers...

Boy do you sound like me.

I have taken my combi to WDW 2x for my ds4. I am expecting another ds any day now and will need two strollers for our trip in October. I have already purchased the Peg Perego Aria and matching carseat (do you see where I too have a stroller addiction) and already I have stroller envy for the Maclaren Volo. I know the infant can't use it yet, but DS will be 5 on our Oct trip and he could .

Oh, and great choice on the combi...I love ours and so does my ds. Yes...my name is kimpossible and I am a stroller-a-holic.

 

[letsgoagainsoon]

Yes, DisneyLovingMama, that is the one I bought, same color too, I just love the red!

I know I am a stroller addict! My DH thinks I'm sick! I did ALOT of research before I bought the Combi, and I think I'll love taking it to Disney!

 

[TJA]

Based on our personal experience, I recommend taking the infant one. We took our twins to WDW when they were also 7 months old. We found that the more comfortable our babies were, the happier they were.

As far as the stroller being large and bulky, there are ways to avoid the hassles of folding and unfolding the stroller. Being that you are at WL, you can roll your stroller onto the boat to MK. If you are at MK and decide to go to Epcot, you can take the monorails from MK. With babies that age, we were not in a hurry and enjoyed the monorail breaks!

There is also a boat that runs between Epcot and MGM. So if you are at one of those 2 parks and want to go to the other one, just hop on the boat and roll your stroller right on.

Another thing that we really enjoyed about that age was when the babies nap or fall asleep at night in the stroller, you adults can eat in a nice restaurant with the stroller right next to your table. We still do this even though our twins are now 2 yrs old. Every restaurant we've been to in WDW is very accommodating when it comes to babies/strollers.

Have fun -- it's a great age to take babies to WDW!
d

 

[TexasGirl]

Hello DisneyMomma! I was doing a search for stroller help as well. I am on the same cruise as you with my 4 month old.

I was also wondering about whether to bring my full sized travel system. He still rides in his car seat that sits in it, although I guess he could ride in the stoller reclined without the carseat insert.

I had looked at some stores for lighter,easier to fold strollers and didn't see a good option for a baby so tiny.

We will be using Disney buses to get to and from parks (Staying at POFQ) and to and from the cruise terminal. I'm only taking the baby to one park I think. Maybe MK? Not sure which one. We are not renting a car.

Any suggestions from readers if we should haul the big stroller or go shopping for a lighter one and if so what brand?

Also, can you use the carseat on the bus?